California drivers could soon get a little relief as the Trump administration moves to pump the market with more gasoline.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it is issuing an emergency fuel waiver designed to increase the domestic gasoline supply by hundreds of thousands of barrels per day and bring down prices for Golden State motorists.
The change takes effect Sept. 1, when the EPA will allow the sale of E10 gasoline — fuel containing 10% ethanol — at a higher volatility level than normally permitted during the summer.
The move allows the transition out of the more restrictive summer gasoline blend about two weeks early.
The waiver will remain in effect through Sept. 15, the end of the summer control season.
And California is specifically in the crosshairs of the effort.
The EPA is also temporarily waiving certain state-level gasoline controls in California that extend beyond Sept. 15.
The waivers can last for up to 20 days, with the agency saying it could extend them again.
“Increasing the supply of gasoline means lower prices for American families,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin similarly said the administration is using the waivers to “increase supply and lower gas prices for all Americans.”
The move comes as California motorists continue to get hammered at the pump.
The state has been particularly vulnerable to gasoline price spikes because of its isolated fuel market, refinery closures and dependence on imports. California gasoline averaged about $5.59 per gallon as of Thursday, according to AAA.
The EPA’s announcement also takes a swipe at California’s fuel policies, arguing that state officials have resisted federal standards that could increase supply.
The agency said its emergency waivers have already been in effect since May 1 and claimed states that adopted the changes have seen lower gas prices, while accusing California and New York of refusing to follow suit.
The state has also become increasingly reliant on imported gasoline following refinery closures.
